The Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope Gabula IV, is cultivating a fruitful partnership with Uganda’s central government, seeking to showcase the kingdom’s rich tourism potential and warm hospitality to the world.
Receiving a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, led by Hon Minister of State for Tourism, Bahinduka Martin Mugara, on Thursday, the Kyabazinga highlighted Busoga’s rich tourism potential, including the Source of the Nile and slave caves in Walumbe.
“We have various tourism sites that we believe, if we work with you hand in hand, we shall be in position to develop them since we are strategically located in Uganda,” he said
According to reporter Donald Kirya of New Vision newspaper who covered the event, the Kyabazinga emphasized the need for a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Tourism to boost collaboration and develop Uganda’s tourism sector, particularly in the Busoga sub-region.
The event underscores the kingdom’s focus on conservation and promotion of key sites, contributing significantly to Uganda’s economy. Hon Mugara revealed that Uganda’s tourism sector achieved a record $1.7 billion in revenues in 2025, with 1.65 million international arrivals.
The proposed MOU is expected to enhance collaboration between the kingdom and the central government, showcasing Busoga’s culture and heritage globally. This partnership comes as Uganda aims to increase its tourism earnings to $4 billion over the next five years.
The Busoga sub-region has seen a surge in tourism promotion efforts, with initiatives like the “Explore Busoga” campaign, which attracted thousands of visitors and stakeholders in February 2026.
The Kyabazinga also emphasized the kingdom’s focus on conservation and promotion of key sites, contributing significantly to Uganda’s economy. He praised the Uganda Hotel Tourism Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja City for supporting cultural events and providing bursaries to students. For context, UHTTI, now rebranded as Hotel Tourism Training College (HTTC) is Uganda’s premier hospitality training institution.
A government-owned tertiary institute established under an Act of Parliament (UHTTI Act,2015) provides practical training and skills development for students, and conducts research for careers in Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry.
The institute, led by Richard Kawere (Principal)who took over in August 2023 from Miriam Namutosi Amori who served in the position since 2013 has partnered with Busoga kingdom to support cultural events and providing bursaries to bright students from unprivileged backgrounds.
Hon Bahinduka revealed Uganda’s tourism sector achieved a record $1.7 billion in revenues in 2025, with 1.65 million international arrivals. He pledged the Ministry’s support for an official MOU to showcase Busoga’s culture and heritage globally.
An MoU is a formal agreement between two or more parties that outlines their intentions and expectations for a partnership or collaboration. It is not usually a legally binding contract but it shows commitment and seriousness about working together.
In the context of this news article, the Kyabazinga wants an MoU with the Ministry of Tourism to formalize their partnership and boost tourism development in the Busoga sub region.
Busoga kingdom is rich in tourism potential with attractions like the Source of the Nile, Kagulu Rock, Bishop Hannington site, and Itanda and Busowoko Falls, among others including cultural and natural attractions.
The kingdom is working to develop its tourism sector with initiatives like the “Explore Busoga” campaign and partnerships with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to turn Busoga into a faith tourism hub investing in the rehabilitation of religious sites to become like Namugongo.
